When do you want to start running?

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When do you want to start?

For lots of runners knowing where to start (and how) can be a tricky problem.

I get it, for many of us starting out as a runner isn’t easy –

there isn’t a ‘beginners training plan’

not everyone has a group of friends who are already running to go along with

we might have a group of running friends, but we’re worried that they’re just too fast

we’re not sure which trainers to buy, never mind any other gear

(for help on choosing new running shoes check out my quick and easy strategies for getting the best fit for you – and avoiding injuries whilst you’re doing so here)

So how do we get out there?

Well here is my super easy to follow guide that should take the guesswork out and give you a good foundation from which you can build on.

What’s your goal?

Yep, even beginners need something to aim for. I know that some folks think just going for an occasional run is sufficient reason in itself (and that does work initially), but if you want lasting change or achievement you need to get specific.

So don’t skimp on this step, it’s really important, give it some thought, you might have more than one reason, that’s fine too!

Where are you right now?

The next step is to work out exactly where you’re starting from.

Get this sorted out in your mind and it’ll help you to work out the gap – that’s the gap between where you are and where you want to get to. You can then decide how long it might take to bridge the two and close in on your goal.

Here are my quick and easy tips for sorting this in no time

Look for the following:

Have you run before or are you a brand new runner?

What distance can you currently run? (don’t worry if the answer is nothing)

What other exersice if any do you do right now?

Where will you find time to run? (this is really important because it makes you really think about how realistic your goals are) e.g running a marathon is a worthy goal to set, but to really run one with limited injury risk, and record a reasonable time you’ll need to be running upwards of 3 times a week (probably) and one of those will most likely be a fairly long run.

What motivates you about running? Why?

What do I do with all this info?

So by now you’ll know what you’re aiming for, how far away from that point you currently are, how much of your time is committed to other activities and how much running time you have available and you’ll know a bit more about your personal motivations when it comes to running (yep, this is all the good stuff that a quality running coach should be asking you).

What are your next steps?

Well preparing a plan is super useful, it will be your roadmap to get you where you want to be.

If you’ve read my blog for a while then you’ll know I’m big on giving you the things that you’d expect to pay for – so get in touch if you’d like some training plan advice and I’ll happily help. (For free).

Have a look at my Complete Guide for New Runnershereit’s jam packed full of useful information.

If you like to go it alone then please do your reserach, it’s taken me a fair few years to understand the dynamics of running training, and I’m always learning. It’s not an overnight process by any means but you’ve got to start running somewhere so remember:

Don’t overtrain, in other words too much running and too little recovery

Don’t run injured – take time out to assess what’s happened, what’s caused your injury, why/how?

Do you know what types of run you should be doing?

Don’t forget speed work, but don’t run every run at a mid or high intensity, keep it low intensity for the most part